THE P
RTAL
Undesirables
January 2018 Page 20
The Christmas 2017 Message from the Archbishop of Damascus
The war in Syria has , over seven years , resulted in more than 12 million refugees who have been obliged to leave their homes , their suburbs , towns or villages . These poor people who have lost everything have not been able to find a permanent home or even a roof . Charitable organisations have grouped them either in camps or half-finished buildings which lack everything .
To escape from this life of misery some have tried to flee towards other more peaceful places ; they are often sent back . Many have found only death on the way , some by drowning , others mercilessly robbed , others died from sickness without help and some of the forgotten died by suicide .
These refugees are pressed between two walls :
1 . They are unable to return home as the road home is blocked and their homes are in ruins .
2 . On the other hand , the world despises them and closes their doors against them . They are the undesirables .
On the eve of Christmas these poor families find themselves in a situation that is agonising and depressing and from which there is no escape ,
The Syrian people has given evidence of great generosity by receiving the Armenian refugees in 1915 , the Assyrian refugees in 1924 , the Palestinian refugees in 1948 , the Kurds in 1960 , the Lebanese in 1975 and the Iraqis in 2003 … and now the Syrians themselves have become refugees and are almost everywhere undesirables , saddened , isolated , and embittered .
The affection of Pope Francis in respect to refugees points to the path of compassion .
The Divine Infant challenges our indifference .
Can we once more shut our eyes ?
X Samir Nassar Maronite Archbishop of Damascus
You are invited to join the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham on Retreat at Walsingham
With conferences by Fr Tim Bugby
Daily Mass Office from the Customary Adoration Confession
Location : Dowry House , Walsingham Start : Arrive 4pm Friday 2nd March 2018 Finish : Leave after lunch Sunday 4th March 2018 Cost : £ 150 per person full board
For : anyone ( Ordinariate member or not ) age 18 or older
A non-returnable deposit of £ 20 will secure your place . Please pay by cheque made out to : Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham Post to : 56 Woodlands Farm Road , Pype Hayes , Birmingham B24 0PG Or pay by bank transfer to the Lay Retreat account Sort code : 40-04-09 Account number : 02252996 Quoting your name
This retreat is a great opportunity for some quiet time with God in lovely surroundings
Please contact Ronald Crane if you have any questions : 0121 241 8730
Many blessings ! Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham